Shanahan Tells Skins Monday is Essentially a Playoff Game

ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 22: Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys walks off the field after throwing a pass reception to London Fletcher #59 of the Washington Redskins during the Thanksgiving Day game at Cowboys Stadium on November 22, 2012 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

ASHBURN, VA (CBSDC)–Linebacker London Fletcher (ankle) and left tackle Trent Williams (thigh) both missed practice once again today as the Redskins continue to prepare for their Monday night showdown with the New York Giants on Monday.

“Both guys did not practice,” Redskins Head Coach Mike Shanahan said. “They’re getting a lot of treatment. We’ll check them out tomorrow.”

Trent Williams said yesterday that he expects to play on Monday and London Fletcher has played in 235 consecutive games and played last Thursday with a sprained ankle.

“You never know,” Shanahan said on the chances they’ll play Monday. “All you can do is worry about something you control. They’re getting a lot of treatment every day. They both want to play. They’re both doing everything they can to play. We’ll just take it day-by-day and see the progress that they make.”

Yesterday, Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III offered to rub Trent Williams thigh if that will help him play. Trent responded with a pretty funny answer today.

“At no time will he touch my upper thigh,” Williams said.

Newly claimed linebacker Bryan Kehl, who spent the offseason and preseason with the Redskins and was claimed off waivers yesterday from the Kansas City Chiefs, said that Mike Shanahan told the team that Monday is essentially a playoff game.

“It’s a big one for us, it’s a big one for us,” Cornerback DeAngelo Hall said on Monday’s game. “We got to bring our ‘A’ game without a doubt.”

The Redskins are currently two games behind the New York Giants and need to win Monday to have a shot at the division.

Bryan Kehl, played in the Chiefs last two games and said he hopes to play on special teams on Monday night. He can also play inside and even some outside linebacker and is very familiar with the system.

“Obviously he knows the defense and he’s one of those guys we were torn,” Redskins Defensive Coordinator Jim Haslett said on Kehl today. “We wanted to keep him [during final cuts], we just didn’t have the roster spot. With London [Fletcher] being nicked up and kind of hurting there with Keenan [Robinson, who is on injured reserve], another guy who can go in and you don’t have to worry about. He’ll do everything right.”

Haslett added that Kehl was studying his notebook on the flight to DC from Kansas City.

“I’ve wanted to be here the whole time,” Kehl said. “I’m just glad to come back here, glad to be here.”

Redskins Offensive Coordinator Kyle Shanahan spoke to the media today for the first time since the win in Dallas and had some high praise for runningback Alfred Morris.

“Alf’s been good all year. That’s been the most impressive thing about him. He’s never hit a rookie wall.”

Kyle Shanahan also had high praise for offensive tackle Trent Williams.

“Trent’s had an unbelievable year. Trent’s one of the better tackles in the NFL.”